Purpose

• To modify how physician assistants (PAs) obtain licensure and how their collaborative working relationships with physicians are structured. The bill updates licensure requirements, continuing-education-like renewal rules for older PAs, and the details of a PA’s collaborative practice.

Main provisions

• Licensure qualifications
  • The board may grant a PA license to an applicant who:
  • submits an approved application form
  • pays the required fee
  • holds current certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) or its approved successor
  • certifies the ability to practice safely (mentally and physically)
  • has no disqualifying licensure or disciplinary actions, unless the board approves licensure despite those conditions
  • provides any other information the board deems necessary
• Continuing license renewal for older PAs
  • PAs registered as of June 30, 1995 are eligible for continuing license renewal.
  • PAs applying for licensure after that date are licensed under the rules of this chapter.
• Required collaborative practice (hours and setting)
  • A PA who qualifies for licensure must practice at least 2080 hours within a collaborative agreement.
  • This practice must occur in a hospital or integrated clinical setting where PAs and physicians work together to provide patient care.
  • The PA must submit written evidence of this collaborative practice experience with the license application or after completing it.
• Collaborative agreement definition and requirements
  • A collaborative agreement is a mutually agreed plan for the working relationship and scope of services between a PA and one or more physicians licensed in Minnesota or another state/US territory.
  • The arrangement designates the scope of services the PA can provide and is tied to care management.
  • The collaborating physician and PA must have experience in treating the same or similar medical conditions.
  • The collaborating physician is not required to be physically present at all times, as long as they can be readily contacted by radio, telephone, or other telecommunications.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a concrete 2080-hour collaborative practice requirement as part of licensure.
• Expands flexibility for collaboration by allowing non-physician-physician presence but ensuring ongoing contact via telecommunications.
• Clarifies licensure pathways for new applicants versus those already registered before a cut-off date (June 30, 1995).
• Reaffirms NCCPA certification as a licensure prerequisite and aligns it with board-approved successors.

Practical impact

• PAs will have a clearer, hour-based standard tied to their collaborative work before full licensure.
• Hospitals and integrated clinical settings will play a central role in meeting the collaborative-hour requirement.
• Telecommunication-enabled collaboration provides flexibility in supervising physicians’ presence.

Relevant Terms - physician assistant (PA) - licensure - board (licensing board) - National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) - collaborative agreement (collaborative practice) - hospital - integrated clinical setting - hours (2080 hours) - scope of services - physicians licensed under chapter 147 or in another state/US territory - telecommunication (radio, telephone, etc.) - discipline, revocation, suspension, probation (due to past practice)